Shuai Chang had long been prepared for his visit to the Mu family. With no women in the family, the most they would do was drink, and the table was his territory; Shuai Chang was never afraid of drinking.
Mu Baichun and Nian Xin had already obtained their marriage certificate but had yet to hold their wedding ceremony. Thus, Nian Xin was also present at the family dinner on the fifteenth day of the first month.
“This is my dad.”
“Dad, hello. I heard you love tea, so I had someone buy some West Lake Longjing for you to try. If you like it, I’ll buy more.”
Mu Feng took it with a neutral expression, “This pre-Qingming Longjing you brought, a kilogram must cost at least a hundred thousand, right?”
Shuai Chang smiled gently, “As long as you like it, Dad, this money is nothing.”
Mu Feng nodded, his expression softening.
“This is my older brother, Mu Songtao, a single nobleman,” Mu Chengguang joked.
Mu Songtao had a high opinion of himself and an even higher set of standards for a partner, which is why he had not found a suitable wife.
“Older brother,” Shuai Chang nodded slightly.
Mu Songtao coldly remarked, “Chengguang is spoiled at home, Nan Yu, please be accommodating.”
“Chengguang is great; there’s no need for you to worry, older brother.”
Mu Songtao fell silent, grunting and no longer speaking.
Shuai Chang knew Mu Baichun, so he greeted directly, “Second brother, sister-in-law.”
Mu Baichun, upon seeing someone he had coveted for a long time, felt a lump in his throat, unable to decide whether to speak or remain silent. His face alternated between red and white, and it was only after Nian Xin nudged him that Mu Baichun finally nodded in acknowledgment.
“Nan Yu, feel free to find me if anything comes up,” Nian Xin kindly offered, remembering it was Nan Yu who had thrown Mu Baichun into the crowd, giving her the opportunity to catch him.
“Thank you, sister-in-law.”
The six men celebrated the Lantern Festival together, finishing their meals and quickly consuming all the drinks Shuai Chang had brought.
Mu Baichun felt uncomfortable, drunk yet demanding, “Where’s more alcohol? Let’s keep drinking!”
Mu Feng, focusing on health, finished only two glasses before retreating to the bedroom for rest. At the table, Shuai Chang maintained his composure against three people, while Mu Chengguang, worried about his stomach, helped intercept a few drinks, though it was Shuai Chang himself who ended up getting drunk first.
“Older brother, second brother, sister-in-law, Chengguang is drunk. I’ll help him back to his room to rest. Let’s call it a night,” Shuai Chang said, using his strength to carry Mu Chengguang, who was led upstairs by the nanny.
Watching Shuai Chang’s receding figure, Mu Baichun felt a painful twist in his heart as he noticed the muscles in his upper arm tightening, showing through his white shirt. He felt utterly distressed. He was clearly a bottom, but to cope with Nian Xin, he had to pretend to be a top. Who could understand the pain in his heart?
Although Mu Chengguang’s room had been vacant for years, the nanny cleaned it daily and had specifically changed the sheets and pillowcases because they were returning today.
Shuai Chang placed Mu Chengguang on the bed and helped him remove his shoes. Mu Chengguang’s face was flushed, his lips plump and red, and the scent of alcohol wafted into the air, making Shuai Chang feel somewhat tipsy.
“Chengguang, let me wipe you down and change you into pajamas before you sleep, okay?”
Mu Chengguang half-opened his eyes, a beautiful glimmer shining under the orange light, “Okay.”
Shuai Chang went to the bathroom, filled a basin with warm water, and gently stripped off Mu Chengguang’s upper clothes, wiping him down. “Is it cold?” The room was warm, but it was still winter.
“Still… can move,” Mu Chengguang mumbled.
“Hmm? Is that a good thing?” Shuai Chang leaned his ear toward Mu Chengguang’s lips.
“Still moving.”
Shuai Chang was confused and quickly helped him dry off and change into his pajamas, “Good night, Chengguang.”
Afterward, Shuai Chang took a bath. He had been busy with recruitment at the company for the past few days, waking up earlier than Mu Chengguang and sleeping later than him. Sinking into the warm bath, he felt his eyelids grow heavy, almost dozing off.
Still moving, still moving, “Hai Dongge?!” Shuai Chang suddenly opened his eyes, his body trembling with excitement as ripples spread across the surface of the water.
Shuai Chang: Spirit Group! Is Chengguang calling Hai Dongge?! I heard him!
Spirit Group: Calm down, calm down.
Shuai Chang: I can’t calm down! Don’t hide this from me, is Chengguang… is he Luo Jia?
Spirit Group: In a way… yes.
Shuai Chang: How can I stay calm?!
Shuai Chang pounded his fist on the water’s surface, splashing.
Spirit Group spoke cautiously: Actually, I’ve been giving you hints, but the heavenly law doesn’t allow me to say it explicitly, so I could only wait for you to discover it yourself… Sorry, pretty boy T^T.
Shuai Chang gradually calmed down, “I was too excited. Why would Luo Jia turn into Chengguang? Is he on a mission like me?”
Spirit Group: Sorry, that’s classified information; I can’t disclose it.
Shuai Chang: Will he accompany me to the next world?
Spirit Group: I think it’s very likely.
Shuai Chang smiled, “That’s good.” Tears suddenly welled up, blurring his vision.
Spirit Group: Please don’t cry, pretty boy. I was wrong! Next time, I’ll provide clearer hints, okay?
Shuai Chang: I’m just too happy. Thank you, Spirit Group.
Shuai Chang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sank his entire body to the bottom of the water. One minute, two minutes, three minutes—just as Spirit Group couldn’t help but call for someone to save him, Shuai Chang emerged from the water, his tall and strong body glistening with droplets, with a bath towel hastily wrapped around his key area.
After drying his hair, he asked one last question before leaving the bathroom.
“Did he lose his memories?”
Spirit Group felt this was a death trap of a question and quickly replied: He was forced!
Spirit Group: He’s different from you. In each world, his memories will be erased against his will. But the fact that he could still call out your name from the last world even while drunk… shows how important you are to him; he forgot everything but you.
Shuai Chang nodded slowly, walking out of the bathroom.
Mu Chengguang lay quietly on the bed. Shuai Chang approached the bedside, squatting down to place Mu Chengguang’s hand against his cheek, “Little piggy, why are you so silly? You didn’t even realize your memory was taken away.” He gently rubbed his cheek against Mu Chengguang’s soft palm, “I miss you.”